Has anyone ever been on the Celebrity Xpedition to the Galapagos Islands? My school is planning a trip there and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

sandyr5

May 19th, 2004 05:34 PM

Re: Xpedition

Is your school going on Celebrity's Xpedition cruise or another way??? High School or College???

Tauruschick

May 20th, 2004 03:30 PM

Re: Xpedition

High School. I am not postive that the ship we are going on is the Xpedition, but for the price they gave us ($3000 per person) it makes the most sense. I have been on 2 cruises, both with RCI ( the Navigator and the Sovereign...soon the Adventure!) and I would like to know what to expect from Celebrity.

Rob Biswanger

May 24th, 2004 11:04 PM

Re: Xpedition

Just got back from my Galapagos cruise on the Xpedition; and here's the scoop.

Outstanding!!! Simply outstanding.

The ship is fantastic, the crew extremely friendly, and the service impeccable. I really cannot imagine a better vessel on which to travel. The only thing better is the archepelago itself. Any chance to tour the Galapagos is well worth it, but to do so in the style and comfort afforded by the Xpedition is not to be missed.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

--Rob

sandyr5

May 25th, 2004 09:53 AM

Re: Re: Xpedition

Thanks Rob - We're really interested in this. As you say, if you're doing it, do it first class! Nothing against high school kids, but as retired teachers, finally vacationing when school is in session, we'd be disappointed if there were groups of kids on the ship. Doesn't seem to be the atmosphere for kids. What was your experience???

hcat

May 25th, 2004 12:50 PM

Re: Xpedition

What were the connections like for actually getting there--does the same small ship do the entire trip or do you have to transfer to another one--what are the air connections like for USA?

H

May 25th, 2004 01:13 PM

Re: Re: Xpedition

Do you have more details on the itinerary, excursions etc. The brochure and website are somewhat vague? I have heard they have multiple excursions at each island; easy, moderate…, in terms of difficulty? Also, details on snorkeling/scuba? They say they offer scuba diving (for an additional charge). I’d like to do some diving if possible, but no one can provide details.

I’m booked for January 05.

Kitty

May 25th, 2004 01:38 PM

Re: Xpedition

Celebrity as a Cruise Line is wonderful and very upscale compared to RCCL. As far as the Xpedition, although it is Celebrity, it is not comparable to the Luxury Liners due to its itinerary, size and passenger capacity. It seems to me that it is inappropriate for High Schoolers since most passengers liked the low keyed relaxation after returning from the days expeditions. Many of the passengers were retired couples and the average age was about 55 to 65.
There are many other vessels which are very casual which would be more suitable for your age group. They wouldn't require dressing for dinner either as we did.

Kitty

May 25th, 2004 01:44 PM

Re: Xpedition

Connections from the states were easy for us. We traveled into Quito through Miami {coming from Boston}. The same small ship {about 96 passengers} Takes you for the entire voyage.

Tauruschick

May 26th, 2004 02:58 PM

Re: Xpedition

I'm not even sure if we are going on the Xpedition. It just seems the most logical choice for the price estimate we were given. When it comes to how our behavior would be, my Biology teacher is handpicking the best behaved students to go on the trip. The purpose of this trip isn't to have the typical "cruise experience" (even though I'm the only one whos considering going whos ever been on a cruise) it is to further what we learned in Bio on Darwin's theory of evolution and see it first hand ( also to practice our Spanish in Quito). Thanks to everyone for all their help and advice, I really appreciate it!

sandyr5

May 26th, 2004 05:11 PM

Re: Re: Xpedition

Tauruschick - No problem here. My husband is a newly retired high school bio. teacher. I just thought this would be a "luxury yacht" and students would go on a more "rustic" experience. Good for you!

Meribeth

May 27th, 2004 08:23 AM

Re: Xpedition

Does anyone know when the best time to go the Galapogos is? When is the weather the best? Thanks.

I, too, am interested in knowing more about the itinerary for the Xpedition. From the looks of the Celebrity website, they modified the Ambasador's itinerary (the company currently running the cruise until Celebrity takes over in June), which was based on a 3/4 day split. I hope Celebrity has put a little more thought into the itinerary than this.

I see they have 2 stops on Santa Cruz Island. I called Celebrity who said this is because there is so much to see there. But no other cruise or tour is there for this long, much less return their during the cruise. Is there really so much to do you need to come back to this island? Which island did the snorkeling take place? Do they have excursions for the "active" type who want to see and do as much as possible with the limited time on each island? Thanks!

Tauruschick

June 3rd, 2004 08:06 PM

Re: Xpedition

We watched a movie about the Galapagos Islands in Biology. I believe that Santa Cruz Island is the island with the bat caves and good snorkling but I can't be sure. Any import would help a lot. Thanks!

Tauruschick

June 8th, 2004 03:36 PM

Re: Xpedition

Because I've only been on large ships ( RCI Voyager and Sovereign Class) I'm worried about seasickness. How much can you feel the ship move?

passionatecruiser

June 8th, 2004 10:28 PM

Re: Re: Xpedition

Tauraschick, I just want to say that if you are as well behaved as you are spoken I would be honored to travel with you and your class. I think it's just wonderful how excited you are about furthering your education while enjoying the comforts of class that Celebrity will offer. Good for you honey!!

Tauruschick

June 9th, 2004 06:15 AM

Re: Xpedition

Thank you, passionatecruiser!

sjb0115

June 22nd, 2004 12:52 PM

Re: Xpedition

Topping

Would love to hear anyones trip reports from the Galapagos!

Joey

June 24th, 2004 10:45 AM

Re: Xpedition

Did anyone swim/snorkel with the seals on this itinerary??

PRITE

August 10th, 2004 11:59 AM

Re: Xpedition

Has anyone just recently returned from the Galapagos Islands via Celebrity ? Would love to hear about the trip. We are booked for December.

sceneisle

August 11th, 2004 05:53 PM

Re: Xpedition

Count me in as one of the many people waiting for a detailed trip report on the Xpedition's Galapagos cruise. I am already booked for next June. For anyone travelling from the West coast to Quito, Grupo Taca (Lacsa Airlines) was advertising a round-trip internet rate of less than $750.00 per person. This airline is also an airmile partner with American Airlines.